November 2007 Newsbriefs

Solatube™ Natural Lighting Available Locally

All Sunshine Skylight will now carry Solartube™, a high-performance day lighting system that uses advanced optics to significantly improve the way daylight is harnessed. Owner Mike DeLoach explains, "Solatube™ captures sunlight on the rooftop, redirects it down a highly reflective shaft, then defuses it throughout the interior space. The result is radiant, natural lighting for dark interior spaces."

Natural light lifts spirits, makes spaces appear larger, and reveals the world in its true color. "Beyond its aesthetic appeal, natural light reduces eyestrain, increases productivity and lessens electrical demand," states Mike. "Solatube’s™ innovative design has the potential to satisfy the essential human need to interact and stay connected with the outdoor environment."

For more information, contact Mike or Nick at All Sunshine Skylight at 321-868-7764 or 800-239-8599. Serving Brevard, Indian River and St. Lucie counties for 10 years.

Holiday Decorating Services Available

Awaken Your Space is offering holiday decorating services so you can enjoy a stress free season. "Families already lead such busy lives, mix in the holidays and it can be quite stressful. We want to bring laughter, love, and family time back into other’s lives this holiday season," explains Kandi Phillips owner of Awaken Your Space. "We are also offering a discount on our new Christmas Collections plus other great gift items through our online store."

Want to raise funds for your organization, charity, or community event? Awaken Your Space is offering a fund raising program that offers delightful and appealing gift items at excellent prices. "I’m so excited to be able to offer this unique opportunity with others so that they are able to raise funds for their organization of choice," says Kandi.

Submit your holiday decorating photo with your story to enter the Awaken Your Space November photo contest. "I would truly love to see how someone may have used recycled products for their holiday decorating but anyone can enter. Creativity is the key."

For more information visit www.AwakenYourSpace.com.

Acupuncturist in Palm Bay

Acupuncture physician Hsiu S. Chen is excited to announce she is accepting new patients. Chen, a native of Taiwan, has been practicing traditional Chinese medicine for nearly 30 years. She is a medical doctor in Taiwan as well as a licensed pharmacist.

Dr. Chen has treated many medical conditions including diabetes, headaches, ulcers, chronic pain, arthritis, allergies and addictions. She specializes in working with heart conditions and can address high blood pressure and angina. Dr. Chen combines herbal treatments with acupuncture, preparing the formulas herself from herbs ordered from Taiwan.

Acupuncture treats the whole person, not just the affliction, pinpointing areas where a problem may occur in the future. Acupuncture is based on the idea that healthy "chi" energy flows through the body through 12 meridians, which connect to specific organs and body functions. The acupuncture treatment stimulates points along the meridians, causing the energy to be realigned or redirected allowing the body to heal itself.

Dr. Chen’s office is located at 207 Eldron Blvd., SE Palm Bay, FL 32909. For more information call 407-951-3764 or visit www.goldenneedledoctor.com.

Fall-Prevention Classes Available

Falls are the leading cause of injury deaths among individuals over 65 years of age, making it a major threat to their independence and quality of life. Exercise has been shown to be an effective fall-prevention intervention. Research has demonstrated that Tai Chi training improves functional balance, strength, and flexibility, which reduces the risk for falling in healthy older adults.

The Senior Resource Center will host a series of classes on Qi-gong and will introduce for the first time in Florida; an evidence-based fall prevention program for adults and seniors. This course is based on a national program that was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Council on Aging. In addition to the health benefits of Qi-gong, you will learn a series of 8 individual sequential movements for enhancing balance, relaxation, grounding and spatial awareness. These classes can be done standing or sitting and will be taught by instructors from the Vero Beach Qi-gong Society.

The Senior Resource Center is located at 694 14th street in Vero Beach. The cost is $7 per class and will meet Monday and Wednesday at 4-5pm. For more information call 772-589-0787.

New Yoga-Aromatherapy-Meditation Class

Nature’s Haven is offering a new class; "Aromatherapeutic Yogic Meditation." Created as a unique combination of aromatherapy, yoga, and meditation, owner Doreen DeSerres believes "This is a great combination of modalities for those seeking relaxation and clarity of thought."

Breathing healing essentials oils while performing gentle yoga postures creates a natural enhancement and empowerment of the breath. This in turn opens up infinite possibilities of deeper healing on both physical and spiritual levels. Ending with meditation, plants the seeds of remembrance with creative and soothing visualization.

The sessions are for any level of practice and especially suited for those who desire a gentle stretch of the body, mind and spirit. Doreen has been certified Yoga Siromani since 1994 and is an AIA certified Aromatherapist and member of NAHA.

Class is held Wednesday mornings at 9am-10am at Nature’s Haven, 602 Brevard Avenue, Cocoa Village. Call 321-632-1221 for information. Attendants should not wear synthetic perfumes.

Woman’s Way of Brevard Now Open

Woman’s Way of Brevard offers complete prenatal care and homebirth services, well-women care for women of all ages, childbirth classes, Doula (labor support) services, and complete prenatal care for women with Medicaid, who plan to deliver in the hospital with the doctors. The center was started by Pam Peach to serve women in all phases of life. Pam has been practicing midwifery in the area for 30 years.

"We also want to offer prenatal care to Medicaid women who are planning to have their babies in the hospital," explains Pam. "There are many women who receive Medicaid assistance during their pregnancy and there are very few options of care open to them. We hope to be able to assist them with a midwifery model of care."

The center will host an Open House on Friday, November 9 from 6pm-9pm. Woman’s Way is located at 1372 Highland Ave. in Melbourne. For more information call 321-254-3808.

New Fat Burning Analysis Available

New information in the study of weight loss suggests that that there are factors that facilitate the body getting into fat burning mode. In fact, the body is always in either fat burning or fat storing mode. The health team at Well Within is pleased to announce two new technologies that can help people recognize where they are deficient (fat storing). The first is the Fat Burning Analysis which is a simple test that scores you on five factors relating to how well you are doing in fat burning. The second is utilized as part of a program called the Fat Burning Tracker. This allows the patient to keep a daily online record of what they ate and it shows how they are doing on a continuing basis with regard to their directed dietary and lifestyle changes.

Well Within is located at 302 E Strawbridge Ave in Melbourne. For more information call 321-724-1212, or visit WellWithinUs.com.

Café Opens at Appleseed Health Foods

Appleseed Health Foods is excited to announce the opening of their new café, featuring raw and vegetarian natural food selections in addition to a variety of other healthy fare. "The menu includes salads, soups, wraps, sandwiches and tasty snacks – or check out our daily specials," explains owner Renee Mass. The café also offers fruit smoothies and freshly juiced vegetables, for nutrition-packed and tasty drinks. Lunch is available Monday through Friday from 10am until 3pm.

Appleseed offers vitamins, minerals, and nutritional supplements, as well as health and beauty items, gifts and books, homeopathics, and wide range of healthier specialty and natural foods choices - from organic produce and meats to wheat and gluten-free foods, as well as meatless entrees and other alternatives to fit various nutritional needs. Appleseed offers the 7-Day Guided Juice Fast and other educational opportunities for those seeking a healthier lifestyle.

Appleseed Health Foods has a new location in Rockledge at 1007 Pathfinder Way in Arbor Place on the corner of Murrell and Pathfinder. For directions a map is available on the website at www.appleseedhealth.com

National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

November is National Alzheimer’s Awareness and Caregiver’s month. The Brevard Alzheimer’s Foundation will be at libraries throughout the county during November to provide information, answer questions and help both those who are diagnosed and those who are caregivers.

Library Schedule: Palm Bay, November 1, 1-3pm; Cocoa, November 2, 9am-1pm; Satellite Beach, November 7, 10am-12pm; Eau Gallie, November 8, 2-4pm; Melbourne, November 13, 10am-12pm; Martin L. King-Melbourne, November 14, 1-3pm; West Melbourne, November 19, 10am-12pm; DeGroodt-Palm Bay, November 28, 1-3pm.

For more information contact Janet Steiner at 321-253-4430.

Local Artist Introduces Website

Gwen McNenney, a self-taught, working artist in Sebastian, has recently posted her new website featuring a retrospective of her work entitled Gwen’s Gallery. The site also includes original paintings, including her new visionary series, "Transformation," and blank greeting cards for sale.

It was during her 11 years in Bogotá, Colombia, while raising her 3 young children that Gwen took up painting and drawing with a passion, inspired initially by the mystical beauty of the Andes Mountains surrounding her, and the quaint, local architecture.

In her own words, "My work has largely been based on spontaneous, spiritual, straightforward reaction to the visual (both physical and mental) - whether it is an arresting face, captivating landscape, interesting architecture, or visionary imagery. Through the combination of inspiration, composition, color and intention, it is hoped that my work can serve as a loving vehicle for transformation and joy."

For more information visit www.gwenmcnenney.8m.com or e-mail artist@gwenmcnenney.8m.com

Workshops at the Kashi School of Yoga

The Kashi School of Yoga is proud to present several prominent guests this month. Vocal masters Deva Premal and Miten will be giving a one-day workshop on Sunday, November 18, from 11am-5pm. The workshop will consist of two parts: Satsang: Meditation with Music and Chanting from 11am- 12:30 pm and Voice Celebration from 2-5 pm. This is an expressive voice workshop for singers and non-singers alike. Deva Premal has sold more than half a million albums and has performed for hundreds of thousands of fans worldwide.  Deva says, "This workshop presents an opportunity for self expression and to free the mind."

Two world-renowned yogis will be offering Wednesday evening yoga workshops: Mark Whitwell on November 14 and Bryan Kest on November 21. Mark Whitwell will take you deep into the roots of yoga. In his workshop, The Deep Dimensions of Yoga, you will practice yoga as a whole body prayer. Bryan Kest will offer an invigorating asana practice that will inspire each participant in his workshop Power Yoga. All levels of practitioners are welcome.

The Kashi School of Yoga is located at 11155 Roseland Rd, Sebastian. Cost for Deva Premal is $108 and each Yoga Workshop is $55. Register online at www.kashi.org, or call 772-589-1403, ext. 112.

Open Mind Zen Expands to Vero Beach

Open Mind Zen Center, which has been operating for over five years in Melbourne on Sarno Road, will be launching an affiliate group in Vero Beach meeting Wednesday nights at 7pm beginning on November 7th. The location will be the Center for Spiritual Care, 1550 24th St, Vero Beach. 

The first meeting will be a free Introduction to Zen Meditation class led by Zen Master Al Rapaport, which is open to anyone regardless of experience. Future classes will be led by senior students or teachers of Open Mind Zen.

Open Mind Zen Meditation Center is the only full time Zen Meditation center in East Central Florida. "Our focus is lay meditation practice utilizing a format friendly to those with job and family obligations," explains Al Rapaport. "There is no dress code and no excessive rules or regulations." Open Mind Zen practice is oriented to awakening the Buddha Mind within us all. Everyone is welcome to participate.

For more information, call 321-768-2098 or visit www.OpenMindZen.com.

Emotional Freedom Technique Workshop

Susan Sawyer, Board Certified Master Clinical Hypnosis, is offering an experiential workshop entitled Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). EFT’s mantra is "the cause of all negative emotions is a disruption in the body’s energy system." Students learn an emotional version of acupuncture without needles. Energy meridian points are stimulated on the body by tapping on them with fingertips. Susan says, "The process is easy to memorize and is portable so you can do it anywhere."

A derivative of Chinese acupuncture, EFT’s success rate is based on studies by teams of physicians, mental health professionals, biological scientists and physicists. EFT has been shown to be clinically effective for thousands of cases of people suffering from the effects of trauma, abuse, anxiety, phobias, depression, addictive cravings, pain relief, dyslexia, ADD/ADHD, asthma, post traumatic stress disorder, allergies, eating disorders, OCD, grief, and more. Workshop fee and workbook is $60. Pre-registration is required.

The workshop will be held Saturday, November 3 from 1pm-3pm at Illuminations, 256 Brevard Avenue, 2nd floor, above Café Margaux, in historic Cocoa Village. For information call 321-432-7267, email smsawyer@cfl.rr.com, or visit www.deja-sue.com.

Partner & Restorative Yoga at The Yoga Center

The Yoga Center is offering two opportunities to deepen your yoga practice. On Sunday, November 11 from 10am-12pm, Linda & Brett Morse will lead Partner Yoga. "This is a great way to learn about yoga with a friend or deepen your yoga practice with a loved one," explains Linda. "You can come by yourself with a willingness to pair up with someone." In this workshop you will gain flexibility, build core strength and learn to relax. Cost is $20.

On November 18 from 10am-12:30pm, Bob Glickstein will lead Restorative Yoga. In this workshop you will use props to support postures creating a relaxed and mellow practice with little effort. You will also learn pranayama, or regulation of the breath (conscious breathing) which encourages the body to relax and the mind to become steady and focused. Cost is $25.

To register call 321-728-0300. The Yoga Center is located at 1540 S. John Rodes Blvd. in West Melbourne, a half mile from 192 near I-95. www.YogaCenterMelbourne.com.